ICC hires international security company to revive cricket in Pakistan

ICC provided a boost to Pakistan cricket as they hired an international security company to revive the game in the country which was struck by a terror attack in 2009. However, PCB's new chairman Najam Sethi has also requested Sri Lanka to show their support for Pakistan in such times.

Pakistan’s status as an international sporting venue had come under threat after a terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009. A group of militants targeted a bus which was carrying the Lankan players to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. This incident was the shocker for the entire cricketing world as it injured six members of the Sri Lankan team and also killed six Pakistani policemen and two civilians. Subsequently, Pakistan are still facing the brunt of the incident as no other nation visited the country for a tour, apart from Zimbabwe, who played a limited over series in 2015.

However, now, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has shown their support to Pakistan and backed them for a match against the World XI so that International cricket can revive itself in the country. Moreover, the ICC has now also hired an international security company to ensure no security concerns are faced during the match.

"It's a step by the ICC for the revival of international cricket in Pakistan. The company is based in three countries - the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates - and has a good repute," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi was quoted to be saying by The Dawn.

"A representative of the Federation of International Cricketers (FICA) will accompany the security company to personally monitor the security situation in Lahore," he added.

"It will be a four-day visit where the security company will work with the government of Punjab to get assurances that all the recommendations submitted by security experts of the different countries who visited Lahore to watch the final of the second Pakistan Super League (PSL) season have been incorporated by the government in its SOPs, or not," he further went onto add.

Pakistan’s stunning 180-run win over arch-rivals India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in June proved their players' commitment towards the game. And following the win, the ICC's latest decision comes as a major shot in the arm for a country that has been trying to re-establish themselves in the cricketing world, However, Sethi has also appealed to Sri Lanka to show their support for Pakistan in such times.

“Sri Lanka remained target of terrorism for over 27 years and Pakistan fully supported and cooperated with it and now it is their turn,” said Sethi.